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S C H O L A S T I C R E A D E R S

A RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS!

Choosing and motivatingIs this the right story for your class? Have they watched anyepisodes of Storm Hawks on TV? Motivate them with backgroundinformation (see The Back Story above) and by reading aloud thefirst page of the story with dramatic atmosphere.

OrganisingPlan a class reading schedule. Decide how many pages to set forreading each week. Select exercises from the Self-Study Activitiesat the back of the reader and extra activities from this resourcesheet to go with each chunk of reading. (All answers on page 4.)

Using the CDStudents can listen and follow in their books. They can listen andthen read. They can read and then listen. All these activities willimprove their reading speeds and skills.

Using the DVDStorm Hawks: Best Friends Forever is episode 6 on Volume 1 ofthe first season of the series. Select the English language optionon the DVD. The episode is around 22 minutes in length. Youcould show it in chunks of, say, 5 minutes in parallel with theclass reading schedule. Alternatively, show it as a reward whenthe class have finished the book. Explain that the show isAmerican and that all the characters have American accents anduse some American expressions. The dialogue is fast so students

©Scholastic Ltd Teacher’s notes

SYNOPSISThe Storm Hawks are a team of teenage warriors whose enemiesare the evil Cyclonians. The story opens as the Storm Hawks aresearching through the Cyclonians’ rubbish, hoping to find a cluerevealing their latest plans. Piper discovers a map, but a strongwind blows it out of her hands. She retrieves the map, but fallsfrom her scooter. A mystery girl, Lark, saves Piper’s life. Piper andLark share an interest in crystals and become best friends.

The Storm Hawks fly to Terra Tundras, the place shown on themap, and Piper and Lark go to investigate. On Terra Tundras,Piper discovers the Cyclonians are mining for powerful crystalsthat can make people invisible. She realises that Lark is reallythe leader of the Cyclonians – Master Cyclonis – in disguise.

When Piper refuses to join the Cyclonians, Master Cyclonismakes her army invisible and orders them to attack the StormHawks. At first the Storm Hawks are powerless against theinvisible army, but then they come up with the idea of shootingtheir breakfast of sticky porridge at their attackers. Now theCyclonians are visible, Aerrow and the other Storm Hawks swiftlydefeat them. Meanwhile, Master Cyclonis swears that Piper isnot her friend, but Piper is convinced that Master Cyclonis islonely and that their friendship, however brief, was real. MasterCyclonis attempts to defeat Piper, but when this fails, shedisappears, warning Piper that she will be watching her.

THE BACK STORYStorm Hawks is an animated TV series made by Nerd CorpsEntertainment in Canada. The show first came out in 2007. Thestories have also been turned into graphic novels.

The story is set in a fictional world called the Atmos, a groupof mountaintop kingdoms known as terras. The main powersource in the Atmos comes from energy-generating crystals. SkyKnights (various groups of warriors, including the Storm Hawks)protect the Atmos against their enemies.

The Storm Hawks are led by one of the best warriors in theAtmos, Aerrow, and each member of his team has special abilitiesand/or weapons to help them in their defence of the Atmos.They live on a flying ship called the Condor and ride motorcycle-like vehicles that transform into flying machines.

MEDIA LINKSDVD: The TV shows are available on DVD, produced by SonyPictures Home Entertainment.

CD: A recording of Storm Hawks: Best Friends Forever is availableto accompany the Scholastic Reader.

Internet: For more information visit the official website for the TVshow at www.stormhawks.com. The website for the graphicnovels is www.stormhawkscomics.com.

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shouldn’t be disheartened if they find it difficult to follow at first.There are other ideas for using the DVD on page 4 of thisresource sheet.

GlossaryGo to ‘New Words’ at the back of the reader. Translate the wordswith the class or get students to find meanings at home. TheVocabulary Builder on page 3 of this resource sheet practises thenew words in a different context.

Casual languageIntroduce the informal expressions used in Storm Hawks: BestFriends Forever. (See Vocabulary Builder on page 3 of this resourcesheet.) Put them into context. Ask students to look out for themas they read.

Fact FilesSet these as self-study or use for whole class work. These providebackground information about the show (the role of crystals, thesetting, the characters), a debate about whether girls and boyscan be true friends, and a quiz about what makes a true friend.

What did they think?Get everyone to do a written or spoken review of Storm Hawks:Best Friends Forever. Compare opinions. Did you like it? Let usknow at readers@link2english.com.

Starter LevelThis level is suitable for beginner-level students who have been learning English for lessthan a year. It precedes the Common European Framework level A1. Suitable for users ofCLICK magazine.

People and places

Change the names and make these sentences true.

a) Junko is very clever and knows aboutcrystals. …………………………

b) Stork is the best fighter in the Atmos. …………………………

c) Radarr likes girls but doesn’tunderstand them! …………………………

d) Lark is Aerrow’s best friend. …………………………

e) Master Cyclonis flies the Storm Hawks’ship. …………………………

f) Aerrow’s favourite drink is Yorga Juice. …………………………

g) Piper loves power and hates the StormHawks. …………………………

h) Finn is Piper’s new best friend. …………………………

i) The Cyclonians live on their ship, theCondor. …………………………

Pages 6–8

1 Are these sentences true (T) or false (F)? Correct the false ones.

a) The Cyclonians are looking through the Storm Hawks’ rubbish.

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

b) Junko finds some Yorga Juice.

…………………………………………………………………

c) Finn wants to go back to the Condor.

…………………………………………………………………

d) Piper finds a book in the Cyclonians’ rubbish.

…………………………………………………………………

e) The Storm Hawks fly to Terra Tundras without Piper.

…………………………………………………………………

f) A person takes Piper’s hand in the storm.

…………………………………………………………………

g) Stork wants to close the windows because of the storm.

…………………………………………………………………

2 Talk to a partner. What do you think? Why are the StormHawks looking through the Cyclonians’ rubbish? Why do the StormHawks go back without Piper? Why is the map important to Piper?

S C H O L A S T I C R E A D E R S

RESOURCE SHEET STUDENT ACTIVITIES

©Scholastic Ltd Photocopiable

Pages 9–11

1 Answer the questions.

a) Who looks for Piper after the storm?

…………………………………………………………………

b) What does Finn see on one of the terras?

…………………………………………………………………

c) What do Aerrow and Finn find?

…………………………………………………………………

d) Who is Piper talking to on the Condor?

…………………………………………………………………

e) What are Piper and Lark into?

…………………………………………………………………

f) Why does Aerrow want to go to Terra Tundras?

…………………………………………………………………

2 Talk to a partner. What do you think? Stork isn’t happy aboutPiper and her new friend. Why not?

Pages 12–16

1 Who says these things?

a) ‘Cool!’ ………………………………

b) ‘Radarr, what’s wrong with you?’ ………………………………

c) ‘You’re my best friend.’ ………………………………

d) ‘Now they can’t see you!’ ………………………………

e) ‘I don’t have many friends.’ ………………………………

f) ‘Where’s Radarr?’ ………………………………

g) ‘That’s strange!’ ………………………………

2 Piper has many different crystals in her room. Answer thequestions about them?

a) What colour are boomers?

…………………………………………………………………

b) What colour is the floater?

………………………………….……………………………

c) What can Piper’s new crystal do?

…………………………………………………………………

d) What do you think blazers can do?

…………………………………………………………………

Pages 17–21

1 Put the sentences in the correct order.

a) The Condor arrives at Terra Tundras.

b) Piper sees something by her foot.

c) Piper sees the Cyclonians.

d) Piper knows Lark is a Cyclonian.

e) Aerrow wants to go and see Terra Tundras.

f) Lark and Piper fly down to Terra Tundras.

1

Piper

F. The Storm Hawks are looking throughthe Cyclonians’ rubbish.

Aerrow and Finn look for Piper.

Finn

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S C H O L A S T I C R E A D E R S

RESOURCE SHEET STUDENT ACTIVITIES

©Scholastic Ltd

2 Look at these sentences from the story. Put the words in theright order.

a) Yorga Juice / My / fly! / can

…………………………………………………………………

b) something! / telling / He’s / us

…………………………………………………………………

c) because / invisible / Radarr / Lark! / is / of

…………………………………………………………………

d) with / Storm Hawks / or / dead! / are / Work / the / me

…………………………………………………………………

e) the / – forever! / with / I’m / Storm Hawks

…………………………………………………………………

3 Talk to a partner. What do you think? Why does Master Cycloniswant to work with Piper?

Pages 22–25

1 Circle the correct words in italics.

a) Aerrow / Finn flies out of the Condor.

b) Piper and Master Cyclonis fight on the Condor / Terra Tundras.

c) Oblivion crystals don’t work on friends / Storm Hawks.

d) Master Cyclonis is watching Piper / Radarr.

e) Finn / Stork wants to do Piper’s hair.

2 Complete the sentences with these words.

angry funny great invisible powerful sad true

a) Aerrow can’t see the Cyclonians because they are ……………… .

b) Finn has a ……………… idea!

c) Master Cyclonis is ……………… with Piper.

d) Piper knows the ……………… story about Master Cyclonis.

e) The Oblivion crystal is very …………… .

f) After the fight with Master Cyclonis, Piper is ……………… .

g) Piper thinks Finn is ……………… .

3 Talk to a partner. What do you think? Why does Finn say ‘I don’tunderstand girls!’? What things don’t you understand about girls orboys? Write a list!

FINAL TASKS

1 Speaking. You are one of these characters: Piper, Lark/MasterCyclonis, Aerrow, Finn. Tell a partner what happens to you in thestory. Example: Piper: I am looking through the Cyclonians’ rubbishwith Finn and Aerrow. A storm is coming. I find a map …

2 Writing. Work with a partner. Imagine you have three powerfulcrystals. What are their names? What power(s) does each crystalhave? What happens when you use them?

3 Write a new Storm Hawks story. Work in small groups andthink about the following questions: Where does the story happen?Who are the main character(s) in the story? What is the problemfor the Storm Hawks? How do the Storm Hawks win in the end?

4 Writing. Imagine you have a new best friend! Describe your newfriend. What is he/she into? What do you like about this person?

VOCABULARY BUILDER

1 Look at the list of ‘New Words’ at the back of Storm Hawks:Best Friends Forever. There’s a wrong word in these sentences.Find the right word.

1. I can’t see the houses. They’re funny. …………………………

2. Never drink and drive. It’s very boring. …………………………

3. Can I look at your car? I can’t find theschool. …………………………

4. I don’t know him. He’s a father. …………………………

5. It’s very dark. A terrible teenager iscoming. …………………………

6. Finn and Aerrow are very goodteachers. …………………………

2 Unjumble the letters to make words from the ‘New Words’ list.

1. She’s the STEB sportswoman in ourcountry. …………………………

2. They’re going from England to Spainby PISH. …………………………

3. That SCALRYT is very beautiful andexpensive. …………………………

4. My boyfriend runs in the evenings.His legs are very GRONST. …………………………

5. Sometimes I GITFH with my brother. …………………………

6. That’s EAGTSRN! Where’s Alex?She’s always here at 9.00. …………………………

3 Complete the sentences with words from the ‘New Words’ list.

1. Do you want to buy ………………………… from that shop?

2. She wants to ………………………… to India for her holidays.

3. Don’t leave your ………………………… in the street!

4. Do you want to live in this country ………………………… ?

5. The president is a very ………………………… person.

Casual language

� ‘guys’ (p.10 and p.17). ‘guys’ = people. You can say this to a groupof friends. For example, you can say, ‘Hey, guys’ or ‘Listen, guys’before you tell your friends something interesting or important.

� ‘be into’ (p.11 and p.12). Piper says that Lark is ‘into crystals’. Shemeans that Lark is interested in crystals.

Choose the right expression to complete the dialogues below.

1. A: What music are you …………………… ?

B: I don’t really listen to music.

2. A: Where are you going, …………………… ?

B&C: We’re going to the Internet café. Do you want to come?

3. A: Listen, ……………………! I’m not going to school today.

B&C: Why not?

A: I’m going to the doctor’s.

4. A: Who’s your best friend?

B: My sister. We’re …………………… the same things.

invisible

My Yorga Juice can fly!invisible

best

something

S C H O L A S T I C R E A D E R S

FACT FILE FOLLOW-UP

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MEET THE STORM HAWKS! (pages 26–7)Create a new characterDivide the class into small groups. Ask each group to invent a newteenage warrior to join the Storm Hawks. They should think about:� personality and appearance� vehicles, weapons, special talents� a name

Each group can then present their ideas to the rest of the class.The class votes for the best new character.

Design a flying machineAsk students to work in pairs to design a new flying machine forone of the Storm Hawks. The students discuss their ideas thenwrite a description of their flying machine. They design a posteradvertising this flying machine.

BOYS OR GIRLS: WHO ARE THE BEST FRIENDS?(page 28)InterviewDivide the class into small groups. Ideally, each group should havea mixture of boys and girls. The students interview each otherabout whether they think boys or girls make the best friends.They then write a magazine article summarising their findings.

BrainstormAsk students to work in pairs to write down as many examplesas they can of boy-girl friendships in films, TV programmes,comic books or novels. They should focus on platonic friendshipsrather than romantic relationships. Give a time limit then ask thestudents to share their best examples with the class.

ARE YOU A TRUE FRIEND? (page 29)DiscussionIn pairs, ask the students to write a list of three qualities thatmake a true friend. Write their best suggestions on the board. Insmall groups, students rank the qualities that make a true friendin order of importance. Give them a time limit, then compareanswers with the class as a whole.

A good friendStudents write a description of a good friend of theirs. Ask themto write about the qualities that make that person a friend.

DVD/CD FOLLOW-UPScriptwriters (DVD)Choose a short scene and show it to the class twice without thesound. Students imagine what the characters are saying andwrite a possible script in groups. Now watch the scene a thirdtime. Students use their script to ‘dub’ the scene. Finally play thesequence with the sound so they can compare their ideas withthe original. This comparison is only for fun – the scripts are notmeant to be identical. More confident students can act out theirscripts in front of the class.

Observation (DVD or CD)Choose a scene from the DVD or CD. Watch or listen to the scenewith your students twice. In pairs, the students watch verycarefully, noting down details about the action, the characters,any objects, etc. Students write ten questions using their notesto help them. They then ask their questions to another pair. Theywatch or listen to the scene a third time to check answers.

Reviewing (DVD or book)Students write a short review of the reader or the episode onDVD, commenting on the action, characters and storyline. Theygive the episode a star-rating.

ANSWER KEY

Self-Study Activities (pages 30–2)

1 a) map b) storm c) fly d) rubbish e) forever f) crystal2 a) Piper b) Finn c) Master Cyclonis d) the Atmos

e) the Condor3 The correct order is: d, b, e, a, f, c, g.4 a) Piper – the map b) Aerrow – Piper c) Lark – Terra Tundras

d) Aerrow – Terra Tundras6 a) stranger b) strange c) best d) invisible e) powerful

f) dangerous g) strong h) Something7 a) F. Radarr doesn’t like Lark. b) T c) T d) T

e) F. Lark doesn’t have many friends.f) F. Lark and Piper fly down to Terra Tundras. g) T

8 a) Finn b) Radarr c) Piper d) Lark e) Master Cyclonisf) Aerrow

11 a) iv b) vi c) ii d) iii e) i f) v12 a) Fight – Master Cyclonis b) Something – Stork c) true – Piper

d) Storm Hawks – Piper e) hair – Finn f) understand – Finn

Resource Sheet ActivitiesPeople and places

b) Aerrow c) Finn d) Radarr is Aerrow’s best friend. e) Storkf) Junko’s g) Master Cyclonis h) Lark is Piper’s new best friend.i) The Storm Hawks

Pages 6–8b) T c) T d) F. Piper finds a map in the Cyclonians’ rubbish.e) F. The Storm Hawks fly to the Condor without Piper.f) T g) F. Stork wants to close the doors because of the storm.

Pages 9–111 b) He sees a light. c) They find Piper’s heliscooter.

d) Piper is talking to Lark. e) They’re into crystals.f) Because the Cyclonians are doing something there.

Pages 12–161 b) Aerrow c) Piper d) Lark e) Lark f) Aerrow g) Piper2 a) green b) blue c) It can stop the power of a crystal.

d) Open answer.

Pages 17–211 The correct order is: a, e, f, c, b, d.2 b) He’s telling us something!

c) Radarr is invisible because of Lark!d) Work with me or the Storm Hawks are dead!e) I’m with the Storm Hawks – forever!

Pages 22–251 b) Terra Tundras c) friends d) Piper e) Finn2 b) great c) angry d) true e) powerful f) sad g) funny

Vocabulary Builder1 2. boring > dangerous 3. car > map 4. father > stranger

5. teenager > storm 6. teachers > fighters2 2. ship 3. crystal 4. strong 5. fight 6. strange3 2. fly 3. rubbish 4. forever 5. powerful

Casual language1. into 2. guys 3. guys 4. into